Does your child wet the bed at night? (Bedwetting) Let's talk about this!

Is your little one still wetting the bed at night? Maybe he's already toilet trained, but he's still wetting the bed at night. This can be really frustrating and embarrassing for both you and your child. Waking up in the morning to wet the bed is a huge headache for both your child and you, who are tired of washing the sheets. But don't worry, this is not your child's fault or your lack of training. This is a common occurrence for very young children. Let's talk about this in detail.

What is bedwetting?

Simply put, bedwetting is the involuntary loss of urine during sleep without realizing it. Medically, we call this (Nocturnal Enuresis) . It is very common among young children, and it can occur even after they have become toilet trained.

Most children outgrow this habit as they get older, usually between the ages of 4 and 6, as their bladder control gradually develops. However, if a child continues to wet the bed more than twice a week for three months after the age of 12 , it is a good idea to talk to a doctor about it.

The most important thing is to understand that this is not a child's laziness or something they do on purpose. There are many reasons for this.

There are two main types of bedwetting.

We divide this situation into two main parts.

• Primary type: This is the most common. This means that a child has never been bedwetting for at least 6 months. He or she has been bedwetting almost continuously since childhood.
• Secondary type: This is when a child has been bedwetting for 6 months or more and then suddenly starts wetting again. This is usually due to a medical or psychological cause.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

The reasons for bedwetting can vary depending on the age of the child. Let's look at the main reasons.

Reasons why young children wet the bed

The main reason why this happens to young children under the age of 7 is that their bladder control is not yet fully developed. It is a normal stage of their development. Apart from that, other medical reasons can also play a role.

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Urinary tract infections can cause loss of bladder control.
• Constipation: When you have constipation, the rectum is full, which puts pressure on the bladder. This prevents the bladder from filling or emptying completely.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Some children have difficulty breathing during sleep. This can cause bedwetting due to changes in brain signals.
• Diabetes: Excessive urination and bedwetting can be early symptoms of diabetes.
• Nervous system problems: Some spinal conditions (e.g., Spina Bifida) can affect the nerves that control the bladder.
• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Children with ADHD are also more likely to wet the bed.

Causes of bedwetting in young children and adults

The causes of bedwetting in adults and young adults are slightly different.

Do you want to see a doctor?

Most of the time, bedwetting in young children will go away on its own over time. However, in the following cases, it is very important to see a doctor.

• If your child wets his clothes both at night and during the day .
• If you haven't wet the bed for a long time and then suddenly start again.
• If you say you have pain or burning when urinating .
• If you see blood in your urine.
• If this problem persists after the child is 7 years old and it has become a great stress for the child.
• If the child has other symptoms, such as constipation .

The doctor will examine the child, ask you for details, and if necessary, perform things like a urine test to see if there is another underlying cause.

How is this treated?

Treatments vary depending on the cause. In most cases, it can be controlled without medication, just through behavioral changes.

1. Behavioral Changes

These are the things you should try first.

• Limiting water intake at night: Stop giving water, milk, and other drinks about two hours before bedtime. But allow your child to drink plenty of water during the day.
• Going to the toilet before bed: Be sure to take your child to the toilet before bed and practice emptying their bladder completely. Even if they say "no urine ," tell them to stay on the toilet for a while.
• Bedwetting Alarm: This is a device with a small sensor. This sensor is attached to the child's underwear. As soon as a drop of urine falls, an alarm or vibration occurs and the child wakes up. Over time, the child's brain gets used to waking up when the bladder is full. This is a very effective method.
• Bladder Therapy: Practice holding your urine for a few minutes during the day, rather than going to the toilet when you feel a need to urinate . This trains your bladder to hold more urine. It's a good idea to ask your doctor before doing this.

2. Medications

If the above methods are not successful or if there is a medical reason, your doctor may prescribe medication.

• (Desmopressin): This is a synthetic drug similar to the hormone (vasopressin) we discussed earlier. It reduces the amount of urine produced at night.
• (Oxybutynin/Tolterodine): These medications work by reducing unnecessary bladder contractions and calming the bladder.
• (Imipramine): Although this is an old medication used for mental illness, it can help with bladder control when given in low doses. However, it can cause some side effects, so it should only be given under the close supervision of a doctor.

Things we can do as parents

Your support is very valuable to the child on this journey.

• Never scold or punish your child. Don't embarrass them in front of others by saying, "You're still wetting the bed." This will only make the child's mental state worse.
• Support your child. Tell your child lovingly, "This is not your fault, we can work this out together."
• Praise your child for the days he doesn't wet the bed at night. Giving him a small reward or using something like a sticker chart can help keep him motivated.
• Protect your bed. Use a waterproof mattress protector. It will save you a lot of work.
• Involve your child in cleaning. Not as a punishment, but as a responsibility. Say something like, "Okay, let's change the sheets together."
• To make it easier to go to the toilet at night, leave a small light on in the room. Do not place obstacles such as toys on the way to the toilet.

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